Last Thursday the 'Caput Mundi Mall' opened its doors, a department store built in the commercial facilities of the large parking lot next to St. Peter owned by the Vatican, which is used by at least four million pilgrims every year and which in Jubilee 2025 will attract 35 millions
It was originally to be called 'Vatican Luxury Outlet', and would appear as such in their logos and on their web pages. Now it simply calls 'Caput Mundi'. The promoters have avoided explaining the change in number, which according to sources close to the Vatican is justified to avoid legal conflicts, since they have no right to use this name for commercial purposes.
The facilities are located in one of the ancient subways of the Vatican, and one of the most accessible is in Via della Conciliazione, the Roman avenue that leads to Saint Peter's Square.
The original project, 'Vatican Luxury Outlet', raised some controversy last summer because it can be presented as a boutique of luxury products. To placate the spirits, its promoters went on to call it simply 'Vatican Mall'.
Those who were then scandalized by the idea that they sought profit in the mediation of places of pilgrimage, the promoters responded that they would have given direct employment to 250 people. “It is not a luxury shopping center, although it will house the best brands,” he told ABC in October. These weeks, before and after the inauguration, they have avoided responding to repeated requests for information sent by this newspaper.
For 10 million euros
According to a note published by Italian agencies, 10 million euros have been invested in the project so far. It currently occupies an area of 5.000 square meters and has at least 40 establishments, mainly clothing and souvenir shops, and restaurants. In the future it will get a supermarket and a bookstore from a major Italian chain.
It elegantly alternates between restaurants, shops and areas dedicated to art exhibitions or entertainment, without separating walls. At least hanging for the first few weeks, it will exhibit on its walls five works signed by Andy Warhol and the ET doll used for the Steven Spielberg film.
religious products
Since most of the tourists who will cross it are pilgrims, it includes among its shops religious jewelry or curious scented candles dedicated to saints, which hide a medal inside. It is presumed that it will be a product designed in California. They ensure that part of the profits from the sale of these objects will go to charity.
Time will tell if the idea catches on. To achieve this, they will have to redesign the route of the 10 people who get off a bus every day in that parking lot, so that they pass through the commercial area. Obviously, the space seeks to intercept the miles of tourists from cruise ships that arrive in the Eternal City, since the layout is similar to the duty free at airports.
The Vatican, owner of the premises, is watching the operation with interest, but, with wise prudence, avoided sending a representative to the inauguration last Thursday.
